Method and apparatus for housing an enclosed area with aero-trussed structures

ABSTRACT

AN IMPROVED BUILDING TECHNIQUE WHICH UTILIZES A NOVEL LIGHT-WEIGHT AERO-TRUSSED ROOF CONSTRUCTION. THE AEROTRUSSED ROOF IS EMBODIED IN ONE FORM IN A STADIUM-TYPE HOUSING STRUCTURE WHICH ENCLOSES AN ARENA AREA USED FOR PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT. THE HOUSING STRUCTURE INCLUDES SPACED APART SIDE WALL WHICH MAY HAVE MOVEABLE ROOF SECTIONS OF CONSIDERABLE MAGNITUDE AND SPAN ADJUSTABLE ON THE SIDE WALLS TOWARDS AND AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER TO SHELTER OR EXPOSED THE AREA AS DESIRED. THE AERO-TRUSSED ROOF SECTIONS WHETHER MOVE-   ABLE OR STATIONARY ARE COMPRISED BY REINFORCED GASFILLED BODIES WHICH ARE INFLATED FROM A SUITABLE GAS SUPPLY WITHIN THE STRUCTURE AND NOVEL POWER DRIVEN CARRIAGE MEANS MAY BE PROVIDED, WHERE MOVEABLE ROOF SECTIONS ARE USED, FOR RAPIDLY ADVANCING OR RETRACTING THE GAS-INFLATED SECTIONS IN A POSITION FOR SHELTERING OR EXPOSING THE ENCLOSED ARENA AREA AS MAY BE REQUIRED.

J. P. OCONNELL AREA WITH AERO-TRUSSED STRUCTURES 17 Sheets-Sheet 2 METHOD AND APPARATUS Fon HOUSING AN mcxlosm) Jams, 1971 Fned'oct. 11, 196e J. P. o'coNNr-:LL 3,552,072 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOUSING AN ENCLOSED A, AREA WITH AERO-TRUSSED STRUCTURES .med oct. 11, 196e 1v sheets-sheet s Jan. 5, 1971 wlo we FIG. 3

w14 lwls wlz wn INVENTOR JAM ES P. O'CONN ELL SYM 0;,A ATTORNEY J. P. O'CONNELL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOUSING AN ENCLOSED AREA WITH AERO-TRUSSED STRUCTURES l?V Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR JAMES P. OCONNELL BYwMvM ATTORNEY a om E E Jan. y5, 1971 J. P. o'coNNELL 3,552,072 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOUSING' AN ENCLOSED l l l 4 AREA WITH AERo-TRUSSED STRUCTUBES` A Filed Oct'. l1, 1968 l''Sheets-Sheet 5 vr v w N, CQ

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METHOD AND APPARATUSy FoEHoUsING AN ENCLOSED v AREA WITH AEao-TRUSSED STRUCTURES Filed Oct.. 1l, 1968 l? Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR F'G- 8 f lATTORNEY Jan. v5, 197,1 `J. P. o'coNNELl. 3,552,072

j A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOUSING AN ENCLOSED l AREA WITH AERO-TRUSSED STRUCTURES med ont. 11, 1968 Y 17 Sheets-Sheet 1 R2 A f R1 Fl F2 v Y v 90A 92`^95 E1 Ez l; Es E4 Eg E9 Efo 1 En m 95 INVENTOR JAMES P. O'CONNELL.

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ATTORNEY 17 'Sheets-Sheet 8 |NvENToR JAMES P. o'CoNNl-:LL

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' METHODl AND APPARATUS FOR HOUSING AN vENCLOSED AREA WITH. AERO-TRUSSED STRUCTURES S. NQ. ma n Jan. 5,A 197`l Filed om. 11, 196s ATTORN EY E wrom E Nm Jan- 51A 1971 4 J. P. o'coNNELL 3,552,072 1 METHOD AND APPARATUS FoRHoUsING AN ENCLOSED AREA WITH AERo-TRUssED STRUCTURES Filed Oct. l1, 1968 u l? Sheets-Sheet 9 R1 Y 27 25 E6 lz E9 V wko V Ea |50 y Y 13a 75 f T fl T v T6 T9 i m l I l r/ I l R l J lNVENTO.

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INVENTOR JAMES Fe o'coNNl-gL? BYWA"h ATTORNEY J. P. o'coNNELL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOUSING AN ENCLOSED Jran. 1971 .A N y AREA vWITH AERO-TRUSSED STRUCTURES Filed om. 11, 1968 1 Q l? Sheets-Sheet ll 'J. P. O'CONNELL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOUSING AN ENCLOSED AREA WITH AERO-TRUSSED STRUCTURES 17 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed oqt.. 11, 1968 .Illlllllll'lllll-llll'IlIII-llll llllllllmlllldm Jan. 5, 1971l J. P ocoNNELL l METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOUSING AN ENCLOSED AREA WITH AERO-TRUSSED STRUCTURES- l? Sheets-Sheet l 5 Filed oct. 11, 1968 JAMES P. OC NNELL www ATTORNEY NUE mv Y QQ om 2 S 3 Jan. 5, v19751` J. Pk. ocoNNE METHOD AND APP AREA WIT Filed OCR..V l1, 1968 LL A A- US FOR HOUSING AN H RO-TRUSSED STRUCTU FIG. 22

. INVENTOR Y JAMES PO'CONNELL www ATTORNEY JIJLnQS, 19`7`1v E J P. o'coNNELL 3,552,072

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOUSING AN ENCLOSED 'f AREA WITH 'AERO-TRUSSED STRUCTURES Filed Oct. `11, 1968 17 Sheets-Sheet` 15 17o I v 17o v f \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\So *l v |22 |78 m P`G1 P5 v Pl T v l T FIG. 23 J i i w13' ,i 'T E i INVENTOR j ,Y JAMESPO'CONN-ELL FIG. 24 BW ATTORNEY Jan. 5, 1971.

J. P. ocoNNELL. 3,552,072 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOUSING AN ENCLOSED AREA WITH AERO-TRUSSED STRUCTURES F1ed`0ct.vl1, 1968 l 1.7 Sheets-Sheet 16 0 f) 7 r al 0l INVENTOIR I A JAMESPO'C NNEL ,BYZAMM ATTORNEY Jim 5, 19,71 J. P. o'coNNs-:LL 3,552,072

-METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOUSING ANv ENCLOSED AREA WITH AEEOTRUSSED STRUCTURES l l l Filed Dot.. 1l, 1968 17 Sheets-Sheet 17 (6 a F1526 Y |NVENTOR JAMES P, O'OONNELL L SYM ATTOFzNr-:Yv

United States Patent O 3,552,072 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HOUSING AN ENCLOSED AREA WITH AERO-TRUSSED STRUCTURES James P. OConnell, 3 Rosemont St., Malden, Mass. 02148 Filed Oct. 11, 1968, Ser. No. 766,754 Int. Cl. E04b 1/.345, 7/16'; E04g 11/04 U.S. Cl. 52-2 15 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE An improved building technique which utilizes a novel light-weight aero-trussed roof construction. The aerotrussed roof is embodied in one form in a stadium-type housing structure which encloses an arena area used for public entertainment. The housing structure includes spaced apart side wall which may have moveable roof sections of considerable magnitude and span adjustable on the side walls towards and away from one another to shelter or exposed the area as desired. The aero-trussed roof sections whether moveable or stationary are comprised by reinforced gasfilled bodies which are inflated from a suitable gas supply Within the structure and novel power driven carriage means may be provided, where moveable roof sections are used, for rapidly advancing or retracting the gas-inflated sections in a position for sheltering or Vexposing the enclosed arena area as may be required.

This invention relates to an improved building construction having a prefabricated aero-trussed roof body. The tenn aero-trussed as hereinafter used in the specifications is intended to mean and to include roof structures or other structures in which confined volumes of gas are contained under pressure in trussed relation to serve the purpose of conventional beams and other frame members. In one specific aspect, the invention relates to a method and apparatus for housing an arena are used for public entertainment. In particular the invention is concerned with a novel stadium-type structure having side walls and moveable roof sections which can be advanced in a position to shelter arena area and which can be readily retracted over the side wall sections to expose the said area to an open atmosphere when weather conditions make such exposure desirable.

kIn accordance with the invention, the gas filled aerotrussed bodies formed into one or more sections, of either stationary or moveable type, may be utilized in connection with a wide range of building construction such as factories, assembly plants, office buildings, Warehouses, hangers, shipbuilding sites and the like. However, the invention in one preferred embodiment is concerned with stadium-type structures. The term stadium-type structure as hereinafter used in the specifications is intended to refer generally to a multi-purpose structure which not only encloses an arena area used for public entertainment and having tiers of seats, but which may also have other housing spaces such as garages, oiiices and the like included herein.

Various problems are encountered in designing a moveable roof structure of the general class indicated, and at the same time providing an. enclosed sheltered area of the order of magnitude indicated. A number of truss and movable shell type roof structures have been proposed, ibut these have not been found to be practical up to the present time. In order that a rigid structure of the required size be strong enough to sustain itself throughout a span, for example, of 650 feet or more, it must necessarily have considerable weight. Rigid members transmitting loads of 'ice great magnitude applied to any practical form of moveable carriage make it difficult to provide a satisfactory arrangement which will be easily durable to function over extended periods of time.

It is therefore a chief object of the invention to improve building construction and to devise a construction for one or more pre-fabricated roof sections which are formed from aero-trussed bodies, and which may be used in construction of sheltering or housing structures.

Another object of the invention is to improve methods and apparatus for housing an arena area used for public entertainment and to generally provide a novel stadiumtype housing structure which has a high strength factor and which is readily producable in a range of sizes to provide stadiums of varying sizes for cities and towns in different regions throughout a country.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stadium type structure which surrounds the arena area and includes vertical wall sections of either permanent or pre-fabricated wall components capable of l'being joined together or separated from one another and occurring in various sizes to alter the type of the enclosed area and to facilitate the erection of the structure when desired.

Another object of the invention is to provide one or more moveable roof sections which can be supported in a practical manner at the top of vertical wall sections of the stadium-like structure and when so desired located in a position to efiiciently shelter the arena area in inclement weather.

Another object of the invention is to devise a method of efficiently and rapidly retracting one or more moveable roof sections -along vertical wall sections of a stadiumtype structure to fully expose an enclosed arena area used for public entertainment.

Still another object of the invention is to devise a moveable roof structure which can be constructed from a plurality of gas inated tubular bodies reinforced and joined together to form aero-trussed sections occurring in a generally arched roof conformation.

And still another object of the invention is to provide moveable roof sections in a relatively large stadium-type structure wherein gas filled aero-trussed sections of arched conformation are associated together, reinforced and yieldable held to withstand stress loads of varying nature in all kinds of weather while maintaining a suitable degree of handling and maneuverability.

The nature of the invention and its other objects and novel features will be more fully understood and appreciated from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the stadium-type structure of the invention lwith two moveable roof sections;

FIG. 2. is a side elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the structure shown in FIGS. l and 2, and further indicating moveable gas inated roof sections in a closed or sheltering position;

FIG. 4 is another plan View of the structure shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 but illustrates the movable gas-inflated roof sections retracted to expose an arena area to the open atmosphere;

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a step in repositioning one of the roof sections in a sheltering position;

FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged sectional view taken along the line 6 6 in FIG. 3 showing details of construction of an aero-trussed roof section;

FIG, 7 is a greatly enlarged detail cross sectional View similar to FIG. 6 but taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the parts shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a transverse cross sectional view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 3;

FGI. 10 is a detail cross sectional view taken on the line 10-10 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 1l is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 11-11 in FIG. 4;

FIG. l2 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 13 is a detail cross sectional view taken on the line 13-13 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 14 is a detail cross sectional view taken on the line 14-14 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 15 is a detail sectional view taken on line 15-15 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 16 is a detail cross sectional view taken on line 16-16 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary detail perspective view of the bearing element shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary detail view of the bearing guide structure shown in FIG. 16 taken on line 18-18 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a detail view of the carriage structure shown in FIG. 16 taken approximately on line 19-19 of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a fragmentary detail view of a portion of the carriage structure shown in FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a fragmentary detail plan view taken on line 21-21 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view illustrating a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 23 is a somewhat enlarged detail cross sectional view taken on line 23-23 of FIG. 27;

FIG. 24 is a detail cross sectional view taken on line 24-24 of FIG. 27;

FIG. 25 is a detail cross sectional view taken on line 25-25 of FIG. 27;

FIG. 26 is a plan view of a modified form of the invention;

FIG. 27 is a plan view of the structure shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 28 is a perspective view of another modified form of the invention;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of still another modified form of the invention;

The present invention is based on the novel concept of utilizing a structure made up of aero-trussed bodies to protectively house an enclosed area. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is concerned with an area to be used for public entertainment and in this instance the method of housing consists in pre-forming roof sections comprising aero-trussed bodies, mounting the roof sections above a supporting base in a normally retracted position and horizontally moveable carriage means, ini Hating the aero-trussed bodies to form arched roof portions and selectively moving the roof sections while in an arched position into a sheltering position with respect to an open area enclosed within the supporting base.

In carrying out the concept of moving one or more separate roof sections of a closure apparatus, I may desire to provide roof sections of differing types of construction, and I may especially desire to move two or more roof sections in any one of several different ways. For example, I may provide two roof sections and move both sections simultaneously, and I may provide for automatically causing the sections to become locked when they reach a fully advanced sheltering position. In another desirable method of the invention, I may provide two gas-inatted tubular type roof sections and the two roof sections may be moved in a manner such that one section is held stationary while the second roof section is moved into interlocking relationship with the first, as indicated in FIGS. 5 and 14, and thereafter both sections may be travelled into a position to completely shelter the playing area A and stands L1, L2, L3 and L4. The invention in one preferred embodiment is hereinafter described with reference to the gas inated roof sections as noted above, but it should be understood that this embodiment is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and I may vary the construction of the roof sections and change the sequence of travel of components and I may also modify the manner in which the roof sections are interlocked with one another in various Ways.

Considering in general the parts illustrated in the drawings and which I find may be employed to carry out one preferred form of the method of the invention, there is included a stadium-type structure S which encloses an area A and the said stands to be used for public entertainment. As shown in more detail in FIGS. 1 5 the stadium-type structure S in a preferred form is made up of a front side 2, a rear side 4, and two ends 6 and 8. These stadium sides define a rectangularly shaped enclosure section surrounding the area A and stand portions and two wing sections extending outwardly from either side of the central enclosure section. The arrangement of these enclosure sections is best seen in FIGS. l and 2 and in these figures the central section is denoted by the reference character C and the wing sections are denoted by reference characters W and W.

It will be understood that the three stadium sections C, W and W are intended to be illustrative of various other desirable arrangements and it is also pointed out that the functions and purposes of the parts may vary greately in accordance with specific requirements. However, in one preferred arrangement it is intended that this area A may be of a size suitable for constituting a playing area for sports such as baseball as suggested in FIG. 4 or various other activities such as football, basketball, boxing and the like, and the central section C will provide entrance ways to the stadium and seating facilities on four sides of playing area A for those attending events. As illustrative of one suitable seating arrangement, there is shown in FIG. 9 tiers of stands including a first level L1 and second level L2 and a third level L3 and a fourth level L4.

It is further intended that the wings W and W" preferably are to constitute garages for providing adequate parking facilities for cars of those attending stadium events. For these indicated purposes, it is contemplated thatthe overall structure may have a width of from 600-800 feet and a length of about 1200-1500 feet, and in this range of sizes there may be provided, in conjunction with the wing sections W and Wl various other housing functions for business establishments such as stores, ofiices, resetaurants and the like.

The method of the invention is carried out by superimposing on the stadium structure indicated, a unique arched-type sheltering or enclosure apparatus preferably having a pair of moveable arched roof sections R1 and R2 which can be selectively controlled. Along the top of the stadium S are formed two spaced apart bays B1 and B2 in which the moveable roof sections are contained in normally retracted positions above and at either side of the playing area A. Each of the moveable roof sections as hereinafter described in detail is made up of aerotrussed tubular arches which support exterior covering sheets of material suitable for exposure to varying weather conditions.

Also provided as a part of the closure apparatus are roof section carriage means for travelling the roof sections R1 and R2 in and out of the bays B1 and B2, and various other related parts consisting of vertically reciprocating cradle means for supporting the roof sections in retracted positions in their respective bays; power driving means for advancing the carriage means, wind defiecting panel means combined with the cradle means, devices for furnishing gas to the tubular arches, heating means and special fastening devices for securing the roof sections in desired positions of adjustment.

In accordance with the invention, the concept of utilizi ing a selectively controlled closure apparatus, comprising one or more moveable roof sections, may I iind be implemented in one practical form by forming the arched roof sections from gas inflated tubular arches. I have found that such gas inflated tubular arches can be joined together in festooned relationship to constitute in effect a series of connected aero-trussed bodies for supporting an exterior covering sheet of material suitable for exposure to various weather conditions. I have still further determined that such aero-trussed tubular arches when combined with the covering sheet material in festooned relationship and when suitably pressurized is capable of providing a relatively light weight framework characterized by a high degree of strength and rigidity which enables this arched framework to extend over and span the very substantial area encompassed by a sports arena or playing field such as the playing `field A and stands L1, L2, L3 and L4 described above.

In FIGS. 1-5 inclusive the roof sections R1 and R2 comprised by the aero-trussed arches and covering materials are generally indicated and a more detailed showing of one desirable form of multiple arch construction is present in FIGS. 6, 7, 8, l() and l1.

As will be observed from an inspection of FIG. 9 the tubular arches and covering material in each of the roof sections R1 and R12 constitute sheltering bodies which curve upwardly between the front side 2 and rear side 4 of the stadium S. The two roof sections as noted in FIG. l are of a combined length suitable for completely overlying the area A and stands L1, L2, L3y and L4 when advanced out of their respective bays.

In FIG. l I have illustrated each roof section made up of six aero-trussed arches T each of which encompasses gas filled bodies indicated by the reference characters T1, T2, T3, T4, T and T6 in section R2; and by reference characters T7, T8, T9, T10, T11 and T12 in section R1. I may however desire to employ a greater or lesser number of the aero-trussed arches as required. .y

In FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 a detail of construction of these parts are shown, and as noted therein the aero-trussed arch member T is secured at the underside of exterior covering section E3 in festooned relationship and forms together with interconnecting partition members an elongated gas retaining body T3 which can be inflated to form a relatively rigid arcuate aero-trussed body.

It will be noted in FIGS. 7 and 8 that the extremities of such aero-trussed bodies are selectively closed by a plurality of end caps Y, the middle one of which has formed therein an access port Y1 for connection with helium gas conduit means 62 as hereinafter described in detail. It will also be noted that to assist in the litting of these end caps within such extremities there has been provided a plurality of filler strips 99.

As is further shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, each of the aero-trussed bodies is preferably fabricated from a plurality of sheet materials to from a number of partitions P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 which are separately attached and hermetically sealed to one another to the said arch member T, and to the exterior covering section to form a plurality of gas compartments, G1, G2, G3, G4 and G5 which are in communication with one another through openings 01, 02, 03, 04 and which are designed to be inflated under pressure by means of a low density gas such as helium.

It will be noted in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 that the partitions P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5 in making attachment with the underside of the exterior covering section E3 forms a plurality of triangular shaped compartments, called thermal ducts 122, the extremities of which are closed by a second set of end caps V, in each of which access ports are formed for connection with thermal conduit means 74 and 74A as described hereinafter in detail.

While FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 show the aero-trussed bodies to be somewhat elliptical in their cross sectional configuration, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to aero-trussed structures having such cross sectional configuration. It is to be understood further that this invention is not limited to aero-trussed structures having the aforesaid number of gas compartments, thermal ducts or partitions; nor is it limited to structures in which the said partitions are disposed and attached in the manner shown in FIG. 6, or which require said openings for communication formed therein.

As is shown in FIG. 16 the exterior covering sections are also extended along two sides to provide retaining ends which are utilized for securing the roof sections R1 and R2 as described below. These retaining ends are generally denoted by reference characters D1 and D2 (FIG. 9). Along the two other sides of each roof section the exterior covering sections are formed with fastening extensions Fl and F2 as shown in FIGS. l, 3, 10 and 15.

While the novel concept of using gas inflated arches as truss means is not intended to be limited to the detailed fabrication noted above, it should be observed that important functions and desirable advantages may be realized from the association of the parts described. For example,

4it is pointed out that regard must be had for supporting the moveable roof sections R1 and R2 on suitable carriage means. The overall exterior covering sections must be reinforced as much as possible to withstand exposure and handling. There is required to be available means for securing the roof sections in both advanced and retracted positions of adjustment. There is also a desirability for locating the roof sections in such relative positions that they are accessible for maintenance and repairs from time to time.

It is with these considerations in mind that the concept of using aero-trussed arches in two separate roof sections has evolved with each of the roof sections being contained in separate bays where they are readily accessible and where they may be contained in a supported relationship on cradle structures.

The aero-trussed arches in the preferred form shown, are separately fabricated to provide isolated aero-trussed bodies, any one of which can be separately serviced, maintained or replaced without interfering with the operation of other tubular arch portions. The multi-cell arrangement operates to resist any appreciable loss of gas in the event of damage or destruction of any one of the arches.

It will also be seen that by incorporating a plurality of partitions in each tubular arch a novel supporting effect is achieved, clearly stilfening each arch and enabling each arch to support respective exterior cover sections more efficiently. It will do this, in part, by exercising a iiattening effect upon the said exterior cover sections.

These exterior covering sections are also strengthened in their collective aspect `by reinforcing members, called web braces 150, which underlie the web strip portions, W1 through W14, which define the line of joinder of adjacent aero-trussed bodies; including the line of joinder of covering sections E1, E6, E7 and E12 with the end curtains J1, J2', J3 and J 4. respective to them, as shown in FIG. 1. FIGS. l2, 13 and 14 illustrate in detail the manner in which juncture between the aforesaid parts is accomplished.

These web braces may also be designed to provide bearing areas which may be employed in a novel manner to support the roof sections R1 and R2 in special cradle structures in respective bays B1 and B2 when the roof sections are in retracted position and the cradle structures are employed as hereafter described, as shown in FIGS. l2 and 13.

The herein described aero-trussed arch members T, the partition portions, the end caps Y and V and the exterior covering sections may be composed of some suitable sheeting material of single or multiply construction which is impervious to the passage of a low density gas such as helium, and which is suitably durable in all kinds of 

